KLANG: Farmers have a right to protest against padi prices and a proposed new law, and the government will make an announcement on the issue soon, says the Agriculture and Food Security Minister.
Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said padi farmers could send a memorandum to the Prime Minister on the prices and proposed Crop Seed Quality Bill.
Some 1,000 padi farmers are expected to gather in Putrajaya today for the purpose.
“That is the right of the padi farmers but we will follow up with intensive discussions with all stakeholders and present it at the coming Parliament meeting.
“We will be making some announcements (on padi) in Parliament after the engagement between various departments in the ministry and Bernas,” he told reporters at the close of the Parti Amanah Nasional Convention 2024 held here yesterday.
The Malaysia Padi Farmers Brotherhood Association (PeSawah) will hand a memorandum to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concerning the price of padi and on the Bill.
In a statement yesterday, PeSawah said it opposed the floor price policy for padi which it claimed did not ensure fair income to farmers.
It also said the Bill restricted the farmers’ freedom to store, share and sell seeds, adding that it would also increase the cost of planting padi seeds.
Earlier in his speech, Mohamad, who is the Amanah president, said it was not easy to balance between staying in government and holding on to the principles of the party.
“Every ministry has its own problem in pushing its agenda. In Malaysia, food security is guaranteed. Being the son of a padi farmer, the issue of padi and farmers will always be a priority to me,” he said.
Mohamad said if people were not happy, they could criticise the leaders but not slander them.
On the party’s electoral prospects, he said he was sure that Amanah would be able to win more seats, namely in Kelantan.
Amanah now holds 11 parliamentary seats.
“It is difficult for Amanah in states controlled by PAS but I am sure if we work together in the next general election, Amanah can win more seats in Kelantan.
“Even though Amanah is facing upheavals in Kelantan, I am sure we will come together during the next general election,” he said.
Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who is the Health Minister, said he had also been criticised but asked that he be judged by his actions.
Displaying slides on his ministry initiatives, he said reforming the financial management and digitalisation of the ministry was a priority.
Two other vice-presidents, Dr Mariah Mahmud suggested that those who condemned the party on social media should have their membership revoked immediately, while Datuk Mahfuz Omar said members must stop being “lazy and spoiled” in order for the party to move forward.
About 800 delegates attended the event, which was put off last month due to floods.
